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Bike tours along the Danube River

Experience wonderful, scenic bike trails when you choose a cycling holiday on the Danube. There are stunning views to savour, as the landscape changes daily, when you cycle down the river through wooded valleys, past cornfields and sunflowers and then on through vineyards. The valley is studded with villages, castles, and monasteries too, ensuring there's plenty to see and do en route. And it's great for families, thanks to flexible travel options, including great rail links.

The stretch of the River Danube that leads from Passau to Vienna is one of the most popular and picturesque cycling routes in Europe. For centuries, the river was a critical trade route that brought prosperity to the towns and villages along its banks. If that sounds like something you'd love to explore, then start planning your epic European cycling adventure with us today.

Where can I go on cycling holidays along the Danube?

We've chosen some of the most idyllic spots along the Danube for our cycling tours. Explore the following for a unique experience when you travel.

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Cycling from Vienna to Budapest
Austria / Slovakia / Hungary: The Danube

Cycling from Vienna to Budapest

Enjoy meandering rides along the Danube river and through 3 iconic cities - from Vienna in Austria, through Bratislava in Slovakia and on to Budapest in Hungary. The cycling is mostly along the river through small villages and nature reserves but the real highlights are the stunning architecture.

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC07VB
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration7 nights, hotel-to-hotel
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$2030per person, tour only

  • 37 Reviews
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike hire included
  • Navigation app provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Cycling along the Danube from Passau to Vienna
Austria: The Danube

Cycling along the Danube from Passau to Vienna

Follow the curves and bends of the Danube as it flows through steep-sided valleys and wide riverside woods towards beautiful Vienna. You will pass many delightful castles, ruins and abbeys whilst visiting historic towns such as Linz, Melk and Krems. The final destination of Vienna is the perfect place to explore.

DEPARTURE MONTHS

JFMAMJJASOND

  • Holiday codeC07LA
  • Holiday typeSelf-guided cycling
  • Duration7 nights, hotel-to-hotel
  • Activity level
  • Excellent for
  • From US$1925per person, tour only

  • 15 Reviews
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike hire included
  • Navigation app provided
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to cycle the Danube?

The Danube is Europe's second-longest river and spans 1,770 miles. How long it takes you will come down to your cycling ability and how many miles you can clock before you need to rest.

Most people prefer to do shorter and more scenic routes along the river instead of the entire distance. This splits your ride into manageable chunks, which makes it more fun when you take it on.

Some of the most popular cycling tours on the Danube include Vienna to Budapest and Passau to Vienna. These are available here at Headwater and include stays of up to 10 nights.

How long is the Danube cycle path?

Known as the Donauradweg, this is one of the most beautiful and scenic bike routes that Europe has to offer. The cycle path is shorter than the Danube itself, at around 780 miles long from the river's source in Donaueschingen to Budapest.

How to join the Danube cycle path from Vienna Airport?

If you're starting your Danube cycling tour in Vienna, then a great place to begin is at the Donau-Auen National Park which isn't too far from the centre of the city. From here, you can enjoy scenic views of historic venues like Orth Castle before reaching your next city, Hainburg.

Here at Headwater, we make cycling tours straightforward, so you can simply enjoy the ride. We expertly craft itineraries and provide you with cycle routes when you book our tours starting in Vienna.

What are the best parts of the Danube cycling path?

Passau to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest are two of the most popular parts of the Danube cycling path. They offer breathtaking views, but also feature some of the flattest parts of the Donauradweg, which means both novices and experienced cyclists can navigate them.

Where does the Danube cycle path start?

The Danube cycle path starts right at the source of the river in Donaueschingen, which is in Germany's Black Forest. This town is one of the biggest in the region and is easily accessible by train if you're wanting to start your Danube bike tour here.

Where to stop on the Danube cycle?

The Danube cycle path goes through plenty of beautiful European cities that are great for exploring at the end of a day of cycling. Some of the most popular are:

  • Budapest
  • Vienna
  • Bratislava
  • Belgrade
  • Novi Sad
  • Linz

We've got close on 40 years of experience crafting holidays in idyllic locations all over the world. Our team makes the arrangements for your Danube bike trip and we offer a secure booking process for peace of mind.

Our holidays are highly rated – We've got a 4.6 rating from our customers on Feefo for our activity holidays.

Picturesque destinations – Our five-step approval process lets us find beautiful locations and wonderful hotels that will fulfil your holiday dreams.

Award-winning cycling tours – The adventure tours we offer have won British Travel Awards for providing unique holiday experiences.

Hassle-free booking – Not only do we craft your Danube River bike tour, but we'll also arrange your flights too!

Sustainability at heart – The People, Places & Planet plan is helping our tours run sustainably and ensures we're working towards becoming Nature Net Positive too.

ABTA- and ATOL-protected – Book your Danube bicycle tour with confidence thanks to it being ABTA- and ATOL-protected. Learn more about your key rights under the Package Travel Regulations 2018.

Communities benefit from our holidays – Our Exodus Travels Foundation lets us make a difference in social, conservation, and disaster relief causes.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEADWATER

*Booking conditions apply.